starter not engaging on Johnson 90HP

[outonthewater]

I have an 81 Johnson 90HP and it has been running great. today I took it out for a run and when I tried to start it, the starter spun round and round but would not lift up to engage the gear sprocket and start the motor - am I missing somehting simple? what did I do wrong?

 

[marinemech]

Re: starter not engaging on Johnson 90HP

check to see if bendix is stuck,weak battery poor connections etc

 

[outonthewater]

Re: starter not engaging on Johnson 90HP

I am not sure what the bendix is, and dont see it in the shop manual - if it is the gear on top of the starter just above the pinion assembley then it does lift up easily adn is not stuck. Tried it with two batteries - one is brand new and just had it out on teh water lst week with no problems. I am really stumped. it just spins and spins wihtout lifting up to engage teh drive power head gear.

 

[piniongear]

Re: starter not engaging on Johnson 90HP

Make sure that the gear is absolutely free and I would put some grease on the shaft as well. The gear can really stick if it has the grease dry up. As long as the starter spins well (good battery power) and the gear is free, I know of nothing that would prevent it from lifting up on the shaft and engaging with the flywheel.

 

[outonthewater]

Re: starter not engaging on Johnson 90HP

WEll I may hae to recount my earlier postiion that I have two strong betteries. I just went out and ran them both twice and each is now dead. - crap. I checked the gear and it spins freely with no resistance at all. it also lifts up easily - so I will have to wait until morning when the batts are recharged to see if that is the culprit. I now suspect you are right.<br /><br />thank you for your help